Whatmore says reasons for defeats ‘identified’
Head coach aiming to finish tour on a high note with win over India.
It is almost like a giant cliche when Pakistan’s batsmen are criticised but their woeful performance at the ICC Champions Trophy has been the main reason behind the team’s twin defeats. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
With no hope left of qualifying for the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals, Pakistan are looking to end their campaign on a winning note by toppling India on Saturday.
Pakistan lost back-to-back matches in the event, going down to the West Indies by two wickets before South Africa prevailed by 67 runs in the team’s second match. The twin defeats and India’s win over the West Indies meant Pakistan became the first team whose semi-final hopes were dashed, leaving their last fixture against India nothing more but a way to save face before the players return home.
India, who have already confirmed their place in the last-four, have been in superb form so far. Shikhar Dhawan has led the team’s strong batting line-up and bowlers have done exceptionally well. Pakistan batsmen, on the other hand, have had a horrid time at the crease with captain Misbahul Haq and opener Nasir Jamshed the only ones to spend more than a few minutes in the middle.
Head coach Dav Whatmore said the match against India was crucial as the team was looking to end its campaign on a winning note.
“It’s an important match,” Whatmore said in Birmingham. “It’s certainly not a dead game for us and we will look to give our best.”
Whatmore was disappointed with the team’s performance in the tournament. Pakistan failed to last 50 overs in both matches and a woeful batting performance – for long the team’s weak area – came despite training sessions in Abbottabad and sessions with former captain Javed Miandad. The appointment of Trent Woodhill as batting coach did not change things either.
“Obviously it’s disappointing as we came here to win. The batsmen didn’t do well but there were reasons behind it. We’ve identified them and we know what to do [to rectify them].”
He felt the difficult conditions were also a reason behind the failure.
“The conditions are different from one venue to another. It’s a bit harder to bat in these conditions.”
Following Pakistan’s ouster from the event, the selection committee and team management came under fire for the team combination but Whatmore was not convinced with the criticism. The coach said the team was balanced and he found no problem in the team combination. “I am totally satisfied with the team combination.”
On demoting Mohammad Hafeez to number three, the coach said it was the requirement of the team. “Hafeez has done well in this position in the past as well.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2013.
With no hope left of qualifying for the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals, Pakistan are looking to end their campaign on a winning note by toppling India on Saturday.
Pakistan lost back-to-back matches in the event, going down to the West Indies by two wickets before South Africa prevailed by 67 runs in the team’s second match. The twin defeats and India’s win over the West Indies meant Pakistan became the first team whose semi-final hopes were dashed, leaving their last fixture against India nothing more but a way to save face before the players return home.
India, who have already confirmed their place in the last-four, have been in superb form so far. Shikhar Dhawan has led the team’s strong batting line-up and bowlers have done exceptionally well. Pakistan batsmen, on the other hand, have had a horrid time at the crease with captain Misbahul Haq and opener Nasir Jamshed the only ones to spend more than a few minutes in the middle.
Head coach Dav Whatmore said the match against India was crucial as the team was looking to end its campaign on a winning note.
“It’s an important match,” Whatmore said in Birmingham. “It’s certainly not a dead game for us and we will look to give our best.”
Whatmore was disappointed with the team’s performance in the tournament. Pakistan failed to last 50 overs in both matches and a woeful batting performance – for long the team’s weak area – came despite training sessions in Abbottabad and sessions with former captain Javed Miandad. The appointment of Trent Woodhill as batting coach did not change things either.
“Obviously it’s disappointing as we came here to win. The batsmen didn’t do well but there were reasons behind it. We’ve identified them and we know what to do [to rectify them].”
He felt the difficult conditions were also a reason behind the failure.
“The conditions are different from one venue to another. It’s a bit harder to bat in these conditions.”
Following Pakistan’s ouster from the event, the selection committee and team management came under fire for the team combination but Whatmore was not convinced with the criticism. The coach said the team was balanced and he found no problem in the team combination. “I am totally satisfied with the team combination.”
On demoting Mohammad Hafeez to number three, the coach said it was the requirement of the team. “Hafeez has done well in this position in the past as well.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2013.